The group gathered today at St. Andrews By The Lake church for the first of several workshops encouraging the public to write letters to the Minnesota Utilities Commissioners in charge of deciding whether or not the pipeline will be approved.

Concerns voiced include the negative economic impact on area farmers who may have to forfeit farmland, potential damage to forests and wetlands, and the risk of water contamination in the event of a spill.

Additionally, critics of the proposed 610 mile pipeline claim a preexisting right of way would be more suitable.

"They want to condemn new lands to build this pipeline when they have an existing right of way that they could use for this new pipeline. It's called the sand pipeline."

The next workshop will be held on November 12th at the Wrenshall town hall.